Wick-type heater device



May 25, 1965 w. R. PRlcE 3,185,144

WICK-TYPE HEATER DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 25, 1965 w. R. PRICE WICK-TYPE HEATER DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 6, 1963 R M mP/X ze M M. w

United States Patent O 3,185,144 WICK-TYPE IEATER DEVICE William R. Price, 13269 E. 14th Ave., Aurora S, Colo. Filed Sept. 6, 1%3, Ser. No. 397,198 7 Claims. (Ci. 126-350) This invention relates to an auxiliary device for use in heating the coolant of a conventional liquid cooled internal combustion engine and for also heating the liquid of the conventional storage battery associated with combustion engines to facilitate starting of the engines in cold weather.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel heater device readily mountable in the engine compartment of a conventional automotive vehicle, and having provision of conduit means connected to the engine block and providing a closed system which extends through the heater whereby the liquid coolant from the engine will be prehea-ted to thereby facilitate starting of the engine.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved heater device including a heater housing structure having generally cylindrically shaped wick means therein arranged exteriorly of an elongate conduit, the latter connected a-t opposite ends to the block of a conventional liquid cooled internal combustion engine whereby when the wick means is ignited the coolant for the engine will be quickly pre-heated to facilitate starting of the engine during cold weather.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel heater device of the class described wherein branch conduit means is provided having a tank struc-ture interposed therein, and means to permit mounting of the tank structure in contacting relation against the side of a conventional storage battery associated with conventional internal combustion engines whereby the heated coolant will circulate through the tank structure to heat the liquid within the battery.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description wherein like character references refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view partly in section and partly in elevation and with certain parts thereof broken away for clarity;

FiG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken approximately along line 2 2 of FIG. l on a reduced scale and looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the baille means advantageously employed in .the heater structure; and

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic View of my heater device on a reduced scale diagrammatically illustrating the mounting of the device on a conventional automotive vehicle.

Referring now to the drawing and more specifically to FIG. 1 it will be seen that one embodiment of the heater device, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is there shown. This heater device 1li includes a reservoir structure 11 preferably formed of a suitable metallic material and including a bottom Wall 12, opposed end walls 13, opposed side walls 14 and a top or closure wall 1S. It will be seen that the reservoir structure is of generally rectangular configuration and it is pointed out that the top wall 15 is joined wi-th sealing effect to the upper peripheral edges of the end and side walls of the reser- Voir structure. Suitable channel-shaped supports 16 are affixed to the bottom wall 12 of the reservoir structure 11 adjacent the respective end walls thereof by any suitable securing means such as welding or the like and these supports facilitate support and mounting of the reservoir structure within the compartment.

The reservoir structure 11 is adapted to contain a predetermined amount of low volatile liquid fuel therein and ICC s in order to assure the most economical use of the fuel, the interior of the reservoir structure is also provided with a suitable absorbent material. In the embodiment shown, this absorbent material includes an upper layer 17 of fiberglass material and a lower layer 18 formed of cotton fiber. It will be seen that the upper layer 17 of fiberglass material occupies a substantiallyvgreater volumetric space than the lower layer 18. Since these materials are porous, the liquid low volatile fuel may be uniformly interspersed between the respective fibers of these layers.

Referring now to FIGS. l and 2 it will be seen that an elongate leaching tube 19 is positioned upon the bottom surface of the interior of the reservoir structure 11 and it will be noted that this leaching tube is actually disposed in diagonally extending relation with respect to the interior of the reservoir structure. This leaching tube 19 is preferably formed of a suitable metallic material and is perforated to permit the passage of liquid fuel through the walls thereof. This particular leaching tube serves to permit intimate contact of the liquid with the lower layer 13 since the liquid will accumulate in the tube. One end of the leaching tube 19 is connected in communicating relation to a vertically disposed gauge tube 20 while the other end of the leaching tube 19 is connected in communicating relation to a vertically disposed filler tube 21. The gauge tube 2u is provided with a hollow transparent cap or closure element 22 detachably connected to the upper end thereof as best seen in FIG. 1. Because of the hollow transparent construction of the cap or closure element 22, this cap will accommodate the conventional ball type oat element for indicating the level of fuel within the reservoir structure. The ller tube 21, as best seen in FIG. l, is substantially longer than the gauge tube 20 to thereby facilitate filling of the reservoir structure 11.

The upper end of the filler tube is also provided with a removable closure element or cap 23 which may be readily removed when it is desirable to replenish the supply of fuel within the reservoir structure.

A heater housing structure 24 of generally cylindrical configuration and oriented in vertically extending relation is xedly `connected to the upper wall 15 of the reservoir structure 11 as .by welding or the like. This heater housing structure is actually comprised cfa lower housing or air intake section 25 and an upper housing or com- 'bustion section 26. It will be seen that the lower housing section 25 is secured to the upper surface of the top wall 15 Iof the reservoir structurevll and it is also pointed out that the upper housingV or combustion section 26 is detachably secured to the lower housing section and is vertically shiftable relative thereto.

The lower housing section 25 is provided with a plurality lof circumferentially spaced-apart vertically extending :slots or air por-ts 27 therein throughwhich air passes into the interior of the lower housing section from the exterior, Since a predetermined amount of air is needed to support combustion in the upper housing or combustion chamber 26 means are provided for controlling the amount and direction of air flow from the lower housing section 25 into the -upper housing section 26.

To this end, a divider wall member lor baffle plate 2S is provided and it will be seen that this baille plate member is of substantially dat circular construction and is provided with `an up-turned annular ilange 29 integrally formed therewith. The annular flange 29 of the baffle plate member 28 is secured to the upper inner marginal portion of the lower housing section 25 and it will be seen that this baffle plate member is provided with a relatively large centrally located aperture 30 and a plurality of smaller apertures 3,1 spaced radially outwardly yfrom the central aperture 3l). When the baille plate` member 23 is affixed to :the lower housing section 25 Patented May 25, 1965 ai air passes through the air ports 27 and thereafter through the apertures 31 and into the upper housing section 26. A plurality of radially extending fins 32V extend radially between a centrally located aperture 3@ and the annular ange 29 and it will be seen that theseY iins 3-2 are positioned Ibetween adjacent ofl the apertures 31. In use, these iins cooperate with the apertures 31 in controlling the upward directional flow of air from the lower housing section 25 into the upper housing section 26. Y

When Ithe beate-r device is installed, the heater housing structure will be normally oriented in upright vertical relation within a convenient volumetric space in the engine compartment. A vertically extending conduit sec-V tion 33 extends through the reservoir structure and axially through the heater housing structure 24: and opposite ends of this vertical conduit section project outwardly of 4the housing and reservoir structure, The lower end of the vertical conduit section 33 is connected by a conventional T-coupling 34 to an inlet conduit 35 which in turn is connected by a Y-branch coupling 36 to a conduit section 37. This conduit section 37, although'not shown in the drawing,yis connected to the block inlet of a conventional liquid cooled internal combustion engine. Thus water .from the engine block will pass through the conduit 37, Y-branch coupling 36, T-coupling 34 and into the vertical conduit -section 33. The T-coupling 34 CTI also permits connection of an additional conduit seci Y tion a in the event that the heater device is used with a V-type engine. In the embodiment shown the branch 35a comprises a short capped branch since this branch 35a is not connected to the engine block.

The 4upper end of the vertical conduit section is counected by a T-coupling 38 to an outlet conduit section 39 which is connected at its other end to aY-branch coupling 40 to a conduit section 41. This conduit section 41 is connected to the head outlet of the engine block whereby the liquid coolant passing upwardly through the vertical conduit section 33 will pass through the conduit sections 39'V and 41 respectively and will be returned to the engine block. The T-coupling 3S also permits connection thereto of a branch conduit section 39a which may be connected to the other head outlet in V-type engines. In the embodiment shown the short capped branch 39a is provided since the heater device is not used with a V-type engine.

Means are also provided for heating the liquid coolant Y as it passes through the vertical conduit section 33 and to this end,wick means are provided. Referring again to FIG. 1 it will be seen that an elongate tubular guard element 42, preferably constructed of a suitable metallic material, is posit-ioned in concentric relation with respect to the lower portion of conduit section 33 and extends from interiorly of the reservoir structure 11 into the upper housing section 26. A generally elongate cylindrical wick element 43 preferably formed of a suitable fabric material is positioned exteriorly and concentrically of the tubular guardV element 42 and has its lower end disposed in contacting relation with the lower layer 413 of the absorbent material and terminates upwardly in spaced relation with respect to the upper end of the `tubular guard element 42. A cylindrical wick holder element 44 is disposed exteriorly and concentrically of the wick element 43 and extends upwardly from the upper surface of the reservoirstructure 11 through the lower housing section 25 and into the upper housing section 26. It will be noted that the upper end of the wick element 43 projects slightly beyond the end of the wick holder element 44. It will therefore be seen that because of the inherent absorbent characteristic of the wick element 43, this wick element Will become saturated through capilla-ry action with a low volatile combustible fuel in the reservoir structure 11, whereby when the upper end thereof is ignited, the wick element will burn and will heat the vertical conduit section 33. Circulation of the liquid through the system will be caused by convection and the liquid coolant in the engine block will be etectively preheated.

As pointed out above, combustion air for supporting combustion of lthe fuel in the upper housing section 26 will be supplied through the apertures 31. The products of combustion will pass upwardly through outlet ports 45 formed in the upper end of the upper housing section 26.` These outlet ports are preferably covered, as shown, by perforated screen elements 46 Aand these screen elements are formed of -a copper mesh material.

VMeans are also provided for extinguishing the wick when the liquid coolant in the engine block is sufiiciently pre-heated. This means includes an annular generally flat flame extinguishing element 47 having a downturned annular flange 48, integrally formed therewith. This flanged flame extinguishing element 47 is vertically shiftable, as seen, along the tubular guard element 42 and in its lowermost position will be positioned against the wick element 43 and with the annular flange 48 fitting around the wick holder element 44. Means are provided for shifting this flame extinguishing element 47 and includes an elongate handle `49 bent at its lower end as at 49al and secured to the upper surface of the ame eX- tinguishing element 47 as 'by welding or the like. The handle 49 extends upwardly through a central aperture in the upper end of the upper housing section 26 and terminates at its upper end in a hand gripping element 50, the latter arranged and constructed to accommodate the hand of a user.

It is also pointed out that by adjusting the spaced relation between the ame extinguishing element 47 and the wick 43, the magnitude of the flame may be controlled. In order to permit adjustment of the llame extinguishing element 47, a friction bracket 51 is provided and as shown is secured to the branch conduit 39d. This friction bracket is suitably apertured to permit the passage of the handle 49 therethrough, the aperture being of a size whereby the handle and flame extinguishing element carried thereby will be retained in an adjusted position.

Referring again to FIG. l it will be seen that the lower end 26a of the upper housing section 26 is of reducedprsize and ts in snug engaging relation within the upper end of the lower housing section 25. As pointed out above Vthis upper housing section is vertically shiftable relative to the lower housing section 25.v In order to assure that the upper housing section 26 is maintained in snug tting engagement with the lower housing section, a helical spring element 52 .is positioned around the upper end of the vertical conduit section 33. Opposite ends of this helical spring engage washers 53, one of which is disposed in bearing engagement with the upper end 26b of the upper housing section 26, and the other washer being disposed in bearing engagement with the T-coupling 38. It will therefore be seen that vertical shifting movement of the upper housing section 26 will be against theI bias of spring element 52.. Y

In order to facilitatevertical shifting movement of the upper housing section 26 a generally inverted U-shaped handle 54 is provided which is also welded to the upper end 2611 of the upper housing section 26. This handle is provided with a coil type hand gripping element 55 which is loosely disposed around the bight portion of the handle.

When the heater device is mounted in an engine compartment of an automobile, the device may be disposed,

as shown in FIG. 4, between the conventional grill and the radiator of theautomobile. The means for mounting this heater device comprises a collar 56 disposed concentrically of the conduit section 39 and having threaded apertures in the sides thereof. These threaded apertures accommodate the threaded ends of a pair of thrust elements 57 each having bumper elements 58 affixed to the respective outer ends thereof. These `bumper elements are preferably formed of a slightly compressible resilient material such as rubber or the like and each may be urged into engagement with the opposed surfaces of the radiator and grill by adjusting the thrust elements 57 with respect to the collar S6. The supports 16 which are aiixed to the lower surface of the reservoir structure 11 are suitably apertured to permit passage of the inlet conduit sections therethrough. Although in the embodiment shown only conduit section 3S passes through one of the support elements 16, this arrangement also serves to impart support to the heater device 10.

It is also desirable in areas having extremely cold Weather to pre-heat the liquid in the conventional storage batteries associated with automotive liquid cooled internal combustion engines. To this end, a generally rectangular shaped hollow tank structure 59 is provided and this tank structure is provided with elongate flexible straps at opposite ends thereof, to permit mounting of the tank structure inside of the conventional storage battery as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4. Although the respective free ends of the straps 60 are not shown, the straps are arranged in pairs and any suitable securing means for attaching the free ends of a pair of such straps may be employed such as a conventional ball type clamp means.

The tank structure 59 is provided with an inlet duct 61 and an outlet duct 62 each communicating with the interior of the tank structure 59. The inlet duct 61-is connected by a conduit section 63 to the Y-branch coupling 40 and the outlet duct 62 is connected by a conduit section 64 to the Y-branch coupling 36. It will therefore be seen that the conduit sections 63 and 64 actually constitutes a branch line of the main circuit so that the preheated coolant will also circulate through the tank structure 59. This arrangement permits pre-heating of the liquid in the battery B.

In use, the heater device will be mounted in the engine compartment of a conventional automotive vehicle and may be mounted, as shown in FIG. 4, between the grill and radiator of the automotive vehicle. The conduits 37 and 41 will be connected respectively to the inlet and outlet of the engine block and the tank structure 59 will be mounted on the vehicle battery. The ame extinguishing element will be disposed in its uppermost position and the entire upper housing assembly will be moved upwardly to permit ignition of the wick element 43. When the upper housing section 26 is thereafter lowered, the flame extinguishing element 47 will be disposed in the desired position to permit generation of a ilarne of predetermined magnitude. The liquid coolant in the vertical conduit section 33 will thereafter be heated and this heated coolant will circulate by means of convection currents through the conduit section 41 and will be returned to the engine block to thereby permit raising of the temperature of the liquid coolant in the block. A portion of the pre-heated coolant will circulate through conduit 63 to the tank structure 59 and thereafter through conduit section 64 whereby the liquid within the battery will be pre-heated. It will therefore be seen that through the use of the heater device 10, the liquid coolant in the engine block as well as the liquid in the storage battery may be pre-heated to facilitate starting of the engine 1n extremely cold weather. After 4the engine coolant and the battery liquid have been pre-heated suiciently to facilitate starting of the engine, the llame may be quickly extinguished by shifting the flame extinguishing element 47 downwardly against the flame.

In the event that it is desirable to replenish the fuel supply within the reservoir structure 11, it will merely be necessary to remove the cap 23 from the filler tube 21 and thereafter pour the liquid fuel into the reservoir structure until the desired level is indicated in the gauge tube 20. Access to the interior of the upper housing section 26 may be accomplished by vertical shifting of this upper housing section to thereby permit cleaning, maintenance and the like.

From the foregoing it will be seen that l have provided a novel and improved heater device which is especially adaptable for use in pre-heating the liquid coolant of conventional internal automotive combustion engines so that starting of the engine is facilitated.

lt will also be seen from the preceding paragraphs that my heater device does not require reconstruction or alteration of the conventional internal combustion engines but is readily installable in the engine compartment and is connectible to the engine block to define a close circuit to permit heating and recirculation of the engine coolant.

It will also be noted that my novel heater device includes an auxiliary circuit including a tank structure mounted in contacting relation with respect to the conventional storage battery to permit pre-heating of the liquid within the storage battery.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a novel and improved heater device which is not only of simple and inexpensive construction but one which functions in a more eiicient manner than any heretofore know comparable devices.

It will of course be understood that Various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the various parts without departing from the scope of my invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A heater device for pre-heating liquid coolant of a conventional liquid cooled internal combustion engine to facilitate starting of said engine in cold Weather, said device comprising a heater housing structure normally oriented in upright relation,

a reservoir structure having a combustible liquid fuel therein and being connected to said housing structure adjacent the lower end thereof,

an elongate conduit extending through said reservoir and housing structures and having opposite ends thereof adapted to be connected in communicating relation to the block of a liquid cooled internal combustion engine to permit the liquid coolant to circulate therethrough,

and elongate wick means disposed exteriorly of said conduit and having one end disposed in said reservoir structure and having the other end thereof positioned in said housing structure whereby when said wick means is ignited said conduit and the liquid coolant therein will be heated.

2. The heater device as dened in claim 1 and an elongate branch conduit having opposite ends thereof connected in communicating relation with said first mentioned conduit, and a tank structure being interposed in communicating relation with respect to said branch conduit and having means thereon to permit mounting against the side of a conventional storage battery associated with the internal combustion engine whereby heated coolant will circulate through said tank structure to heat the liquid in the battery.

3. A heater device for pre-heating liquid coolant of a conventional liquid cooled internal combustion engine to facilitate starting thereof in cold weather, said device comprising an upright heater housing structure including an upper housing section and a lower housing section, said upper housing section being vertically shiftable relative to said lower housing section,

a reservoir structure having a combustible liquid fuel therein and being connected to said lower housing section to the lower end thereof,

an elongate vertically disposed conduit extending through said reservoir and housing structures and having opposite ends thereof adapted to be connected in communicating relation to the block of a liquid cooled internal combustion engine to permit liquid coolant to circulate therethrough,

and elongate annular wick means disposed exteriorly and concentrically of said conduit and having one end disposed in said reservoir structure and having the other end thereof disposed in said upper housing section whereby when said other end of said wick means is ignited the liquid coolant in said conduit and in the engine block will be pre-heated. 4. The heater device as defined in claim 3 and a ame extinguishing member shiftably mounted within said upper housing section and being vertically shiftable into and out of engaging relation with said wick means to permit extinguishing of the ignited wick means and to control the size of the tlame generated by the wick means when the latter is ignited.

` 5. A heater device for pre-heating liquid coolant of a conventional liquid cooled internal combustion engine, to facilitate starting of the engine in cold weather, said devico comprising a reservoir structure having a supply of combustible liquid fuel therein, a heater housing structure mounted upon said reservoir structure and including an upper housing section and a lower housing section, said upper housing section being vertically shiftable relative to said lower housing section, Y an elongate conduit extending through said reservoir and housing structures and having opposite ends thereof adapted to be connected in communicating relation to the block of the liquid cooled internal combustion engine to permit liquid coolant to circulate therethrough, d an elongate generally tubular Wick holding member disposed exteriorly iof said conduit, an elongate generally cylindrically shaped Wick interposed between said wick holding means and said against the Side of a conventionalstorage battery as-f sociated with the internal combustion engine-Whereby heated coolant will circulate through said tank structure to heat the liquid in the battery.

6. The heater device as dened in claim 5 and a flame extinguishing member shiftably mounted Within said upper housing section and being vertically shiftable into and out of engaging relation with said wick element to permit extinguishing of the ignited wick and to control the size of the ame generated by the wick element when the latter is ignited.

7. The heater device as defined in claim 5 and a baie plate member interposed between'said heater housing sections and having a plurality of apertures therein and tin elements thereon to control the amount and direction of air therethrough.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 383,536 5/88 Newman 126-350 1,178,433 4/16 Wight 126-350 1,236,416 8/17 Fink 126-350 IAMES W. WESTHAVER, Primary Examiner. 

1. A HEATER DEVICE FOR PRE-HEATING LIQUID COOLANT OF A CONVENTIONAL LIQUID COOLED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE TO FACILITATE STARTING OF SAID ENGINE IN COLD WEATHER, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A HEATER HOUSING STRUCTURE NORMALLY ORIENTED IN UPRIGHT RELATION, A RESERVOIR STRUCTURE HAVING A COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID FUEL THEREIN AND BEING CONNECTED TO SAID HOUSING STRUCTURE ADJACENT THE LOWER END THEREOF, AN ELONGATE CONDUIT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID RESERVOIR AND HOUSING STRUCTURES AND HAVING OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF ADAPTED TO BE CONNECTED IN COMMUNICATING RELATION TO THE BLOCK OF A LIQUID COOLED INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE TO PERMIT THE LIQUID COOLANT TO CIRCULATE THERETHROUGH, AND ELONGATE WICK MEANS DISPOSED EXTERIORLY OF SAID CONDUIT AND HAVING ONE END DISPOSED IN SAID RESERVOIR STRUCTURE AND HAVING THE OTHER END THEREOF POSITIONED IN SAID HOUSING STRUCTURE WHEREBY WHEN SAID WICK MEANS IS IGNITED SAID CONDUIT AND THE LIQUID COOLANT THEREIN WILL BE HEATED. 